Car won't go into gear!

Asked Feb 18, 2008, 02:20 PM
—
33 Answers

I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. I went to start my car and put it in gear but the gearshift was stuck in park. It would not shift out of park. Can you tell me what is wrong with my car?

It's your brake switch. You need to step on the brake to get the vehicle out of park, correct? The switch isn't registering to the vehicle that you're stepping on the brake pedal, therefore keeping Park from releasing.

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with this8384's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. I went to start my car and put it in gear but the gearshift was stuck in park. It would not shift out of park. Can you tell me what is wrong with my car?

The brake on/off switch is probably bad. You can turn the key one notch and put it in nuetral then start and put it in drive. The switch is located underneath the dasy on your brake pedal. I would change this first. Cheap fix..

People who found this post inaccurate:

Helpful (1)

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with amaskyjj's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

It's your brake switch. You need to step on the brake to get the vehicle out of park, correct? The switch isn't registering to the vehicle that you're stepping on the brake pedal, therefore keeping Park from releasing.

What a tight person

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with panther83762's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

There can be 3 possible causes, there are 2 cables sometimes 3 link to the gear shift. One is from the foot brake, and one connected to the ignition switch.. perhaps the one connected at the foot brake is broken... doesn't the car have an emergency release button on the gear shift column?

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with cax11's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

I read all of the Post my But Car is a ' 95 Monte Carlo LS 2-Door and My car won't go into Any gears it stay's in Park..!
I sprayed the TransMission Linkage with WD-40 and Still No movement My Brake Lights Do Not come on but the On above my Trunk Does

What is the problem..

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with ArthuroTate23's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

Check your fuses to get brake lights working , Then see if you have a problem.
There are many lengthy and costly test, but starting with them would not be smart.
Verify you have to place your foot on the brakes to put vehicle into gear.

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with Stratmando's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

tekesha30, check all under dash and under hood fuses with a test light or multimeter. If the problem persists, the automatic transmission gear selector position switch may need adjusting or replacing.

Obviously, you must first put your foot on the brake pedal. The shift lock system prevents the shift lever from moving to Reverse or Drive from the Park position, unless the brake pedal is depressed and the accelerator is in its rest position.

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with TxGreaseMonkey's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

gadamson, check or replace the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) and/or linkage. Also, if the vehicle is on an incline, push the vehicle in the opposite direction and take the pressure off; then, it may go into gear. Be sure to also test all under dash and under hood fuses with a test light or multimeter.

Helpful

We'd like to understand what you find wrong with TxGreaseMonkey's answer:

What's inaccurate about this answer? Say it in 25 words or less here and/or reply in the thread with more detail.
Please focus on the content not the person!

Link to a credible and well-known source. You can provide a URL or simply describe the source.

Check out some similar questions!

I have a kia sephia and I changed tth O2 sensor and everything was OK. The check engine light came on after 2 weeks and the code said it was a defective o2 sensor. The same one that I changed. I replaced the top one again and in the meantime, I changed the plugs(NKG) and the wires. The light...